Junior forward Brittany Zuback had a goal and an assist for the Catamounts

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team fell to the Vermont Catamounts, 3-1, on Sunday, Feb. 2 at Schneider Arena. With the loss, the Friars overall record moves to 11-18-0 on the season and 6-10-0 in Hockey East play.

The Friars and Catamounts exchanged goals in the first period to keep the game even heading into the second period. Providence was the first team to strike with a goal from junior Haley Frade (Marion, Mass.) at 6:18 of the frame.

Frade received a pass in the slot after sophomore Courtney Kukowski (Apple Valley, Minn.) pressured a Catamount defender behind the offensive net. Kukowski collected the puck before rifling it for Frade to collect and fire a shot that went bar down glove side against Roxanne Douville. Frade collected her sixth goal of the season on the play, while Kukowski notched her third assist this year.

Vermont responded with an unassisted goal from Brittany Zuback at 11:39 of the first period. Zuback created a turnover along the wall and entered the Friar's defensive end with speed. Using the Friar defensemen as screen, Zuback fired a puck that went low five hole on sophomore goaltender Sarah Bryant (Bethlehem, Pa.). Bryant would finish the period with three saves as Providence outshot Vermont, 10-4, in the period.

The Catamounts took their first lead of the game while on the power play during the second period. Victoria Andreakos redirected a shot at 3:38 to put Vermont up 2-1 heading into the third period. Amanda Pelkey started the play with a pass across the zone to Ashley Salerno, who fired a shot from inside the right face-off dot. Andreakos tipped the eventual game-winner low five-hole on Bryant for her fifth power-play goal of the season.

At the end of two periods, Providence held the edge in shots, 20-11, and face-offs, 32-23. Bryant finished the second period with six saves for a combined total of nine saves for the first two periods of play.

The Friars continued to battle, rifling 17 shots on net throughout the third period. With the goalie pulled, Providence used the extra skater in an attempt to tie the game in the final two minutes of regulation time.

Freshman Cassidy Carels (Bruxelles, Manitoba) had several chances in the final minute, including a back door shot that Douville was able to snag. Sophomore Lexi Romanchuk (San Jose, Calif.) also had a big shot in the final minute of play that trickled just wide of the net.

The Catamounts finished the game with an empty net goal from Bridget Baker at 19:31 of the final period. Baker was assisted on the play by Zuback.

The Friars finished the game with 37 shots on goal, while Vermont notched 18. Bryant finished the game with 15 saves. Providence went 0-for-2 on the power-play, while Vermont went 1-for-5.

The Friars are back in action on Feb. 8, when they play host to the Northeastern Huskies in a 3:30 p.m. puck drop. Providence will be holding a Skate With the Friars following the conclusion of the game. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates and join the Friars on ice for a fun filled time.